Chapter 18 - A Choice in the Storm
The car slipped another inch down the steep, muddy slope.
Loose rocks tumbled over the edge, dropping hundreds of feet into the raging sea.
"Mommy, I'm scared!" the little girl cried out softly, frozen in fear.
"Keep your body completely still, sweetie," Elena begged in a terrified whisper.
Arthur forced his door open, preparing to jump out onto the solid ground.
"Help me out, Elena, and I'll pull the girl out!" Arthur lied desperately.
Elena looked at his eyes and saw zero sincerity or truth in them.
She knew if Arthur jumped first, the car would instantly tip over the cliff.
She had to make a choice between trusting a snake or taking control herself.
Elena slowly unbuckled her daughter's seatbelt with absolute precision.
"When I say move, crawl to the back windshield slowly," Elena instructed softly.
Arthur lunged backward to grab the little girl as a human shield.
Elena raised her foot and kicked Arthur's wounded shoulder with maximum force.
Arthur screamed in pain, slipping backward out of his open door.
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He tried to grab the frame, but his hands slid off the wet metal.
Arthur plunged over the cliff edge, his screams echoing into the deep canyon.
